Cahill, 24, challenged his dismissal by referee Stuart Attwell for a 64th-minute challenge from behind on striker Marouane Chamakh, but the appeal has been thrown out.

A statement on the FA website read: ''At a Regulatory Commission hearing today, a claim for wrongful dismissal from Bolton Wanderers' defender Gary Cahill was dismissed. As a result, Cahill's three match suspension will remain and will be served with immediate effect.''

As a result, Cahill will be forced to sit out of the upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Burnley and Manchester United.